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Herbaceous Perennial

Arum creticum

Cretan arum

A clump-forming, tuberous perennial with arrow-shaped, dark green leaves and sturdy, erect stems bearing fragrant, creamy-white to deep yellow spathes in spring. Spathes are followed by spikes of bright orange-red fruit

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Clay

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Arum are tuberous perennials with simple, arrow-head shaped leaves and tiny flowers hidden, at the base of a yellow or purple, club-shaped spadix, within a showy, hood-like spathe, and followed by red berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Crete to SW Turkey

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers 10-15cm deep in autumn or spring in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Leaves are larger in partial shade, flowering is better in sun. New leaves emerge in autumn. Will be evergreen in warm climates, deciduous in cold climates

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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